Hurling legend DJ Carey remanded in custody pending sentence for fraud
DJ Carey, a former Kilkenny hurling captain, admitted to dishonestly inducing 13 people to pay him sums to fund treatment for cancer he did not have, a story he said he invented in 2012 to buy time over a debt with AIB. The Garda investigation began in summer 2022 after a financial institution flagged a money transfer. On 31 October 2025, Carey was remanded in custody at Cloverhill Prison, west Dublin, pending his sentence. Judge Martin Nolan said he would deliver a custodial sentence on Monday at 1pm, with other counts related to about nine more people to be taken into consideration. The outstanding sum stands at €349,927 and $13,000 after €44,200 was repaid.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted31 Oct
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- DJ Carey admitted to dishonestly inducing 13 people to pay him sums to fund treatment for cancer he did not have.
- When
- The fraud story dates to 2012 and the Garda investigation began in summer 2022.
- Where
- Carey was remanded in custody at Cloverhill Prison, west Dublin.
- Cause
- Carey said he invented the cancer story in 2012 to buy time over a substantial debt with AIB.
- Investigation
- The Garda investigation started from an alert from a financial institution in summer 2022 when an older female customer wished to transfer money to Carey.
- Charges
- Carey admitted to the charge of fraud, dishonestly inducing payment by false pretences.
- In court
- Judge Martin Nolan remanded Carey in custody on 31 October 2025 and said he would deliver a custodial sentence on Monday at 1pm.
- Other details
- Other counts related to about nine more people will be taken into account at sentencing.
- Of the total obtained, €44,200 was repaid, leaving the outstanding sum at €349,927 and $13,000.
- The Fred Hutch cancer centre in Seattle had no record of a patient named Denis or DJ Carey, and passport details showed Carey had not travelled to the US since 2015.
- Thomas Butler gave Carey more than €16,360 in total, none of which was repaid.
- Tom Brennan paid Carey €120,000 on the understanding it would be repaid, but it was not; this count was taken into consideration.
- Carey captained Kilkenny to Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 2003 and was named Hurler of the Year in 2000, winning nine All-Star awards.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- investigationThe Garda investigation started from an alert from a financial institution in summer 2022 when an older female customer wished to transfer money to Carey. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDJ Carey was remanded in custody pending his sentence on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan said he would give his sentence decision on Monday at 1pm and Carey could expect a custodial sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOther counts related to about nine more people will be taken into account at sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOf the total, €44,200 was repaid, leaving the outstanding sum at €349,927 and $13,000. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCarey was placed in protective custody at Cloverhill Prison, west Dublin, for 23 hours per day. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCarey admitted he made up the cancer story in 2012 to buy time because he had a substantial debt with AIB. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Fred Hutch cancer centre in Seattle had no record of a patient named Denis or DJ Carey. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPassport details showed Carey had not travelled to the US since 2015. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThomas Butler gave Carey more than €16,360 in total, none of which was repaid. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTom Brennan paid Carey €120,000 on the understanding it would be repaid, but it was not; this count was taken into consideration. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCarey captained Kilkenny to Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 2003 and was named Hurler of the Year in 2000, winning nine All-Star awards. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Oct2025‘I was completely duped by DJ Carey,’ says Denis O’Brien as former hurler is remanded in custody
Sentencing hearing details, victim impact statements from Denis O'Brien and Thomas Butler, background on the Garda investigation that began in summer 2022, and Carey's admission that he invented the cancer story in 2012 to buy time over an AIB debt.
convicted, DJ Carey, male, named, irish (judged from name)DJ Careyvictim, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Thomas Butler, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Butler